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Cybex Aton Q

Recall notice

NHTSA Campaign: 23C001

CYBEX has decided that certain Aton, Aton 2, Aton M, Aton Q, and Cloud Q infant car seats fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

The front harness adjustment strap used to snugly adjust the shoulder harness straps onto the infant may fray, which can reduce the strength of the front harness adjustment strap.

The affected infant car seats have model numbers listed below and were manufactured between June 6, 2017 and November 1, 2020. The model number and date of manufacture are printed on a label on the bottom of the seat.

Aton Q 515XXXXXX, Aton Q 517XXXXXX

If you have questions about the recall or repair kit, please visit https://www.cybex-online.com/en/us/safety-noticesrecalls-us-infant-car-seat-webbing.html

One of multiple seats offered in the U.S. by Cybex.

CR Expert Take

How did it perform in our expert lab testing?

Overall Score

The Overall Score for this model is derived from our expert lab test results.

Current Range of Tested Infant Car Seats

What goes into the Overall Score?

EXPERT LAB TESTS

Ease of use

4 / 5

Fit-to-vehicle LATCH

5 / 5

Fit-to-vehicle belt

3 / 5

Fit-to-vehicle carrier-only

N / A

Maximum weight (lbs.)

Crash protection

Better

Pros

Excellent crash protection with load leg
Harness adjustment does not require re-threading
Has easier to use push-on LATCH connectors
Tension plate can help provide a secure installation

Cons

Tension plate can be hard to close with tension in the belts
LATCH strap can interfere with closing the tension plate when installing with vehicle belts
Crotch strap does not adjust
Handle position in restricted when in a vehicle

CR's Take

The Cybex Aton Q is similar to the Aton 2, but with a few minor differences. The Aton Q has a no-re-thread harness adjuster, weighs significantly more than the Aton 2 and has different side impact features. This seat is better suited to an installation with LATCH than with a seat belt. The "tensioning plate" technology that aids in getting a secure fit works well at times, but can also make some installations more difficult. The addition of a load leg on this seat makes it one of the performers in our crash protection tests.

Detailed Test Results

Consumer Reports’ car seat crash test, developed in 2014, provides comparative performance information on which car seats could provide an additional margin of safety. All child seats sold in the United States are required to meet government safety standards, and Consumer Reports’ tests are not designed to test compliance with those standards. Rather, we evaluate the seats’ performance under conditions designed by our experts to simulate certain crash scenarios, and rate them on a scale ranging from “basic” to “best.” The test conditions have been carefully designed to simulate the interior environment and forces encountered during a crash in contemporary vehicles. For more information on our crash test protocol, please click here.

About

The Cybex Aton Q is part of the Car Seats test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Infant Car Seats models like the Aton Q are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Maximum weight: The maximum weight of a child that a model will accommodate.

Ease of use: Includes the clarity of instructions, installing the seat, adjusting harness positions, placing a child in the seat, securing the harness, and removing the child.

Fit-to-vehicle LATCH: A rating of how easy it is to securely and correctly install each seat using the LATCH system in a variety of vehicles and how well the seats fit each vehicle once installed.

Features & Specs

Features

Load leg

Yes

LATCH connections

Push-on

Harness height adjustment

External

Harness tension adjustment

Single Pull Front

Base recline level indicator type

Ball / dual range

Base recline level indicator position

Under Carrier

Carrier recline level indicator type

Line

Carrier recline level indicator position

Both Sides

Adjustable base

Yes

Belt lockoff

Yes

Adjustable crotch strap

Handle restriction

Yes

Carrier use without base

Yes

Spanish language instructions

Included

Specs

Weight range (lbs.)

4-35

Height range (in.)

30" or less

Carrier weight (lbs.)

Seat/base weight (lbs.)

Base width (in.)

Carrier width (in.)

Overall length (in.)

Good small car fit

Yes

Price & Shop

Cybex Aton Q

Price

Description

CR Expert Take

Overall Score

What goes into the Overall Score?

EXPERT LAB TESTS

CR's Take

Detailed Test Results

About

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